Brief Introduction
IATA Code: WN
ICAO Code: SWA
International Call Sign: Southwest
Mileage Plus: Rapid Rewards
Headquarters: Dallas, Texas
Set up in 1971, Southwest Airlines is usually referred to American Southwest Airlines, to avoid confusion with Japan Southwest Airlines (present Japan Transocean Air), Air China Southwest Branch and UK Air Southwest. It is the founder of low cost airlines in civil air transportation service. In United States, it has the most domestic routes and has created many records in American civil aviation such as the highest net profit rate, the highest credit grade and the lowest debt running rate. From the point of traveling volume, it is the second largest airlines in USA and the third largest airlines in the world.
Policy of Management
Southwest Airlines always provides the good service that the passengers expect. It offers low ticket, safe and frequent flights, comfortable cabins, first-class Mileage Plus, smooth check-in, friendly customer service and memorable travel experience. It only opens the domestic point-to-point flights, no long distance flights and no international flights. The low price policy makes it a real fast airbus. There is no distinction between business class and economy class and passengers do not need to take seats by number, which saves much boarding time. Besides, the time of waiting for the luggage is shorter than any of other airlines.
Company Culture
Southwest Airlines emphasizes on the value of stuff coming first. It keeps on encouraging every employee working in the airlines. Like a big family, Southwest Airlines is full of love, care and active atmosphere. The leaders put forward a clear aim of the company: make money, offer every employee a secure job and make more people travel by air.
Hubs
McCarran International Airport, Phoenix International Airport, Chicago Midway International Airport, Baltimore Washington International Airport, Houston Hobby Airport, Auckland International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Dallas Love Field Airport, San Diego International Airport and Nashville International Airport
The top 10 airport hubs of Southwest Airlines (By 2007)
| Airport | Number of Planes Leaving Port Per Day | Number of Departure Gate | Number of Arrival Cities (Nonstop Flight) | Year of First Flight |
| McCarran International Airport | 241 | 21 | 53 | 1982 |
| Chicago Midway International Airport | 228 | 29 | 47 | 1985 |
| Phoenix International Airport | 200 | 24 | 42 | 1982 |
| Baltimore Washington International Airport | 172 | 26 | 40 | 1993 |
| Houston Hobby Airport | 146 | 16 | 29 | 1971 |
| Auckland International Airport | 144 | 11 | 21 | 1989 |
| Dallas Love Field Airport | 137 | 14 | 16 | 1971 |
| Los Angeles International Airport | 122 | 11 | 19 | 1982 |
| Orlando International Airport | 116 | 14 | 33 | 1996 |
| San Diego International Airport | 103 | 10 | 16 | 1982 |
Aircraft Types
Southwest Airlines uses three types of Boeing 737 aircrafts. Its aircraft fleet operates seven flights everyday on average. Up to May 2008, Southwest Airlines has 188 Boeing 737-300, 25 Boeing 737-500 and 319 Boeing 737-700.
Official Website:
http://www.southwest.com/
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Travelers' Voices on Southwest Airlines
1.
Nov. 3,2009 22:44 Reply
Mr.Carl (New Zealand) said:
On Nov.3, 2009, Air New Zealand announced that they will purchase 14 Air buses A320. And the new aircrafts will replace the current 15 Boeing 737-300 aircrafts.
2.
Sep. 27,2009 21:22 Reply
Mr.Vernon (USA) said:
America Southwest Airlines announced that in this August, their passenger traffic has gone up by 1 per cent, which means the revenue passenger miles have been increased to 6.69 billion from 6.63 billion for the same period last year. The transport capacity has declined by 6.1 per cent compared with the corresponding period last year, and the available seat miles have fallen from 8.88 billion to 8.38 billion.